Life is Beautiful

Not always is actually, but we have to choose to see the brighter side in everything.

When one is busy, one can either see it as a deprivation or simply a disadvantage. Me? I look at it as a blessing. 

God is truly good! Did people ever tell you that God's plans for you are better than what you can imagine? Well... That's the bold truth!  I have prayed for a lot of things in the past and right now, God is showing me glimpses of His plans for my life. I tell you, I'm speechless and in awe! I'm walking through some of it now... The best is yet to come.

God's word for me for this year is OBEY. Even if He says something that doesn't make sense, just OBEY. The rewards of being obedient is limitless!

In the mean time, I'd like to share some photos with you that spells HAPPY. 

August 8. Fellowship with my spiritual family at Victory.

August 10. Mini family reunion at my Grandparent's house in Pampanga

August 17. Another mini family reunion at my Aunt's house in Pampanga

August 28. My family... We miss you Mom and Dad!

Me and Gabby

These are just SOME of the things I'm grateful for in life.  Life is beautiful indeed.

If Only

I'm almost done moving stuff in my new home. I only have a few more stuff left at my old house which I will transfer here by next week.  I could say that by April 1, I'm fully settled in my new home sweet home.

Life has been bittersweet for me. I lost some and then gain some more.  You know, I'd say that I have been truly blessed in life in spite of all the trials I went through.  I may have lost a great deal - losing a husband and both my parents, but God carried me through it all. He gave me loving siblings, a nice home, a new car, health that's continuously improving everyday, loyal friends, a caring yaya, a sweet cat... the list goes on. And He's continuously blessing me with so much more.  As I always say, the Lord is not done with me yet.  He plans to prosper me and give me a beautiful future.  I am highly favored, greatly blessed and deeply loved.

With Cousins at my my niece's first birthday celebration

I miss my Mom and Dad very much.  If I could only have a day with them again... If only...

Anyway, I believe I received an instruction from the Lord last night on how He wanted me to start this new chapter in my life. I still believe that 2014 is going to be my year of favor and blessings. This is going to be a year of healing.   I'm very excited to walk in to my Promised Land already.  I think I'm more than ready.

I'll leave you with this beautiful song which I always sing lately. I sing this with all of my heart.  God bless y'all!

Fab at 40

Dear God,

Thank you, Lord, for adding another year to my colorful life. Inspite of the ups and downs I'm experiencing every now and then, You never left me.  You've been very patient with me.  I still have a long list of  prayer requests, but I know that you hold all of those on the palm of your hands.  Every single one of them is important to you as they are to me. 

Lord, thank you for blessing me with a good life, for healing me by helping me get better everyday. Thank you for continuously providing for me with overflowing. Thank you for the hope, joy and peace I have in my heart. Thank you for everything that you're about to do in my life.  I receive your blessings, favor, love and healing in all aspects of my life with praise and thanksgiving.  

All glory to you, Lord! 

In Jesus' name, amen!

A Quick Update

Finally!  Our August Champ is over.  Whew!  Now I have some free time to post and update my blog. How's everybody doing?  Hope y'all are fine.

Nothing much has happened except that I was busy with work.  I feel like I've been saying that all the time, but that's the truth.  Okay... Alright, alright!  I've also been a bit lazy.  There.  I said it!  But for now I'm back so I'm going to make the most out of it.

Aside from my regular check up, which by the way, I'm grateful to God for the good results, I was also actively posting on my cat's blog.  I just find it very cute and relieves me of stress.  It was my cat's first birthday yesterday.  Here are some photos.

Me & Sushi

Here's something really cute.

Tada!

I will again be very busy WITH work by October and that will also be my birthday month.  Christmas is getting closer and closer.  I'm excited! Wow! Can you believe that 2013 is almost over?   Sigh... I miss Dad.

Well, this is it for now. Have a great weekend y'all!

It's My Birthday!!!

Today is my birthday!

Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you've given me. This year sure has a lot of difficulties, but you never failed to deliver me through it all. I am in awe at the things you're showing me on a daily basis. You gave me new eyes to see the beauty of life. Thank you, Lord. This new hope I have right now is so precious.

My life is in your hands and I know without a shadow of doubt that you are directing my every step. I am destined for blessings because I am your daughter.

In everything, Lord, I give you praise.

Here are some photos taken today...

Went to visit Dad

My cake.  Thanks, May, for this.

My heartfelt THANK YOU to all!!!

Blessings

Mom is listening to her fave radio station which plays music from her and Dad's time.  I miss Dad.  He had a very peculiar laugh.  I got the chance to record this when we had a family outing at Fontana last 2010.  Mom and I listened to it and although we both miss Dad, we end up laughing at the sound of Dad's laughter. I'm glad Mom's with me because I get to feast on crabs and shrimps.  Haha! 

On a different note, I shared this verse with a friend at church because she's going through some tough times right now.

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

This powerful verse ministered to me too.  If we meditate on God's Word and carefully obey then blessings are inevitable.  

I have so many things to thank God for this week.  Too bad I wasn't able to join in the Thankful Thursday meme.  Anyway, just the same, I'm grateful to God for allowing me to pass my licensure exam two weeks ago.  I got the result last Monday.  I thank God for my friends including bloggy friends who prayed for me. Thank you, guys!  I passed!  Woohoo!

Another thing I'm thankful for is my latest DVD of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn part 1.  My friend gave it to me two days ago.  Thanks, Dee!

I'm so blessed.  Thank you, Lord!

I'll leave you with this video that Mom is listening to on the radio.  Happy weekend!

7-Days of Prayer and Fasting

It's 12:30 in the morning and I'm still wide awake. I guess it's the hot cocoa I had after dinner.  

We just finished our church's annual seven-day prayer and fasting.  As a church, we begin each new year with this. It is our way of humbling ourselves before God and consecrating to Him the upcoming year. It is also the time when we corporately come into agreement and believe together for breakthroughs in our personal lives, families, finances and churches.  I'm very excited for what God is going to do next in my life and how God is going to unfold the miracles I've been believing for.  

As early as January 2, even before we started fasting, God began showering me with blessings in the area of my work.  He has once again proven Himself faithful in His promise.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."  Malachi 3:10

Fasting this year was difficult for me though.  It was really a struggle.  Because of the nature of my job, I had to exert much effort to bite my tongue and zip my lips when it was all too easy to let out ugly words than to simply smile.  We were all warned that as our body adjusts while we fast, there would be temporary bouts of mental annoyances like irritability.  Sometimes it felt more like it was beyond irritation.   But I thank God for His strength and His grace that I was able to make it to the finish line.  

If there's one thing I immediately got from this year's prayer and fasting, it's embracing the entirety of who God is.  Simply put, He is my everything.

Lord, thank you for the victory.  Thank you for my breakthroughs and miracles. I give you all the glory and the honor... Lord Jesus!

One Special Gift

Today is a very special day. It's my 38th birthday.

This day is very special for me because more than the greetings I got from friends and family, more than the material gifts I received... God gave me a special gift today.  It's my realization of who I am as ME.  It's like when you have this jewelry box all your life then you discovered it has a secret pocket inside, that's the kind of excitement I have right now.

My gigantic Oreo cake
Lunch with my Sun Life family at Epiphany, Global Cuisine Redefined

It's like you know something that others don't.  Can you picture what I'm saying?

I feel very empowered with this radical peace I have inside.  Peace that I know only God can give.  Peace that surpasses all understanding. It's the feeling of knowing what belongs to you and in spite of all the tricks the enemy darts at you, you know and you know and you know that there's nothing he and his pawns can do to impede its way from finding you.

Have you ever thought you lost something?  Maybe a piece of jewelry or a sale? But you know in your heart that if that belongs to you, it will find its way back to you?  Sweet!

That's how I feel.  It's very liberating.

Some of my presents... I heart!

Of course, I will be forever grateful for friends and family.  They are blessings from God.  I also thank the Lord because I have so much love in my heart and it's overflowing.  I have so much love to give.  Now that I finally found my true source of happiness, I know my well will never be emptied.

I'm so happy. Can you tell?  =)

Paradise on Earth

I’m back in China and I have time to blog again. Back home, I was swamped with backlog at work and my schedule was just chaotic. I had a few days off from work though when I went to Boracay for a short vacay. Stayed at Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort & Spa. And true to it’s name, I did go to a faraway haven of idyllic beauty and tranquility. Truly a paradise on Earth. God has been so good to me for all the blessings I’ve been receiving and favors I’ve been getting even from people I don’t really know. God rocks! =)

 Doesn’t this look like paradise on Earth? 
This was the view from my room. Click photo to enlarge.

Looking at that photo and reminiscing my experiences there, I can’t help but be in awe of God’s love for me in spite of all the painful experiences I’ve gone through in life. I know in my heart and in my spirit that God hasn’t forgotten me yet. He is mindful of me.

 Anton, me, Io & May

My friends and I on board Shangri-la speed boat that brought us to the island.

Enjoying the sun with my shopping buddy, Anton.

 Enjoying the water with friends

  Fun!!!

These things were results of my hard work and God’s favor last 2010. I wouldn’t have achieved all these without God’s help. He was not just my provider. He’s also my cheerleader. I couldn’t thank the Lord enough for everything He’s done.

  30th Macaulay Club Marketing Congress

 30th Macaulay Club Awards Ceremony at One Esplanade.

I believe that this is just the beginning of all the beautiful things that will be happening in this season of my life. There's so much more to come, and I'm praising God in advance for them.


Thank you, God, for making me happy. =)

Blessings

I got up this morning pretty late.  I was contemplating on whether to go meet my friend Stef who's going to introduce me to her client, who could very well be my client too in the future, OR go and see my OB-GYN.  Guess what? I ended up seeing  neither one of them.  I've been sooo lazy lately.  Have you noticed the date since I last posted?

Anyway, my day started very slow. I had to force myself to get up and hit the shower.  But it became quite exciting towards the end of the day.  

First, I was filled spiritually after receiving the Word of God at the service. This week's topic was about BLESSINGS. I'm so grateful that I serve a faithful God.  My prayer took a slight turn from talking to God about my heart's desires to telling Him to give me an undivided heart for Him.  I believe it's time for me to focus on Him (again), to seek the Blessor rather than the blessings. The blessings come naturally when we seek Him first. I really feel this is what God wanted me to do in this season of my life.  

Second, I met with some of my college friends at Burgoo.  This came about when Joann and her family came home from Russia, where they are currently based.  We haven't seen and talked for ages.  And I was so touched when she called me "twin" once again. We used to call each other that back in college.  

L-R: Melissa, me, Pam, Jen & Joann


"Take care also, Twin."

Third, I got to spend some time with another friend and prayer partner, Bette, before going home.  

I feel so blessed today.  I am looking forward to more of God's blessings in the days to come.  Thank you, Lord!

Amazing!!!

I just have to share this.

Last April, I was already having panic attacks because I knew I was leaving, but my funds were low... extremely low. I prayed and asked God to give me an X amount of money. I said, "Lord, I pray that you touch somebody's heart and give me this X amount of money."  Last Friday, April 29, my boss called and told me to come to the office on Monday. She said she wanted to see me. So I said okay.

Yesterday, Monday, she called me to her office and handed me a check. She said, "This is just a little something." I said, "But you're paying for our plane fare already, it's more than enough." She said, "No, it's okay. This is not much, but accept this. I want to help." So I accepted the check, said thank you and headed back to my desk. Before I put the check in my bag, I took a quick peek.

OMG!!! It was the exact amount I asked God to give me.

Isn't God amazing? Praise God!!!

God is Faithful

I am grateful to God for His FAITHFULNESS. I am badly in need of extra money and really, I don't know where else to get it. My funds are depleted because of what's happening in my family right now. I was praying to God to help me because I'm leaving soon and my funds are still low. God is faithful! Help is starting to come... little by little. Friends are offering to help. I feel so blessed to have friends here and in blogland praying for my family. And those who are able do help financially too.

In behalf of my family, THANK YOU. May God bless you abundantly... I know He will.

Happy New Year!

2010 is over... Welcome 2011!

Last year was a very good year for me.  God had really blessed me and I am truly grateful. This 2011, I am very expectant of more good things to come.  I believe that this year is going to be a better year.  Never mind what the statistics or the news say.  My God says that for those who fully obey Him, He will set high above all the nations on earth (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).  Aren't you excited?  

God changed so many things in my life.  Some very painful, but I'm glad He did. He said He plans to prosper me and not to harm me.  And what better way to do that, but to remove garbage in my life.  Sometimes those garbage were so attached to us that when removed, we tend to be resistant and that's when it becomes painful. I know some of you can relate to what I'm talking about.  But you know, the good news is, our God knows what is BEST for us and when we leave to Him our mess, He will make something beautiful out of it.  

Today is also the day my sister celebrates her 34th birthday so
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!  (1-1-11 --- how cool is that!)

 Taken at New Year's Eve with my friend, Zenda.

Here's wishing all of you A Blessed and Prosperous 2011!

God Reigns

I woke up this morning feeling so grateful to God for all the blessings He's showering me with.  And then I thought about the people around the world who are in pain, suffering injustices, lack and a lot more other things.  I was happy-sad.  Makes me wonder, Lord, when will they ever get justice?

Looking back, not so long ago, I've also experienced pain.  I've also suffered a great deal of injustice in life and unbelievable lack.  It was crazy!  I thought then, "Lord, are you trying to kill me?  Why don't you just let me die in my sleep? That way I won't have to suffer all these crazy things.  It's so unfair!"  Of course, He didn't do that, He turned a deaf ear towards what I said because He knew that I needed to go through all of those things for my own good.  I still don't have the answers to all of my questions, but He did allow me to feel and take a glimpse, somehow, that He is indeed doing something behind the scenes.  Our God is a God of justice.  He is in control and He knows what He's doing.  In Deuteronomy 20:3-4 it says,

"Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

He goes with us to fight for us against our enemies TO GIVE US VICTORY. He's above anything thrown our way.  God reigns!!!

You reign
Over all the earth we sing it
You reign
Justice and peace you bring it
You reign
Holy one, You Reign

Over star filled skies
Over all created life
What was always meant to be
Your glory reigning over me

You're above
Anything thrown my way
Victorious
I live to stand in You always.

You reign
Over all the earth we sing it
You reign
Justice and peace you bring it
You reign
Holy one, You Reign

Your kingdom come
Your will be done
Jesus reign over me

TGIS Summer Getaway

My friends from church and I went to the province of Quezon for our 2010 outing last Saturday. God is so good!  I only spent $15 all in all for this outing.  Isn't that amazing?

 Our Group - TGIS

On our way to our destination in Tayabas Quezon, we got stuck on a traffic somewhere in Lucban Quezon because of the Pahiyas Festival.  It's a colorful feast celebrated every 15th of May by that town in honor of San Isidro Labrador. It's the farmers' thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest with a grand display of colorful rice wafers, fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts adorning every house in the town. (Source: WikiPilipinas)

One of the houses there

Papier mâché figures of a farmer and his wife

 

I had so many "firsts" on this trip. Witnessing the festival was one of them.

After five long hours on the road, we finally arrived at the Graceland Resort and Country Club at Tayabas Quezon at around 9:30 p.m.  We stayed at the tent site.  Another first for me.

 That's me in the blue tent drinking my milk early in the morning the following day.  lol

We went biking, boating and swimming!

Biking again after more than a decade.  =D

♥ the water!!!

 

Hahaha!

We had lunch at one of my church mates' bamboo house in a nearby province.  

 

I know. I look tired and yes, hungry!!!  lol  The place is really nice, isn't it?

Later that afternoon, we attended service in Los Baños, Laguna before heading back to Manila.

Thank you, Lord, for the fellowship and the fun!  You are truly amazing!

Question...

When one is living in sin and still experiencing a "good life," looks like he or she is getting away with it, would you say that that person is blessed? 

This question came about after reading Lloyd's post --- Ricky Martin Reveals He's Gay.

"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." ~ Ricky Martin

I'm not focusing on homosexuality alone as a sinful lifestyle per se.  I wanted to get your insights regarding people living in sin in general.  It could be a life of drugs, adultery, etc. 

I would really want to hear from you guys.  I'm curious.

Looking Back

Christmas is over and in just a few days, so is 2009.

2009 was a great year for me, better than 2008 I should say. It was a year of supernatural blessings and favors from the Lord.

When people around me kept grumbling on how bad the economy was, honestly, I didn't feel the pressure. God has provided for me supernaturally. I am in awe of how great and mighty God is.

When so many people are accumulating debts just to make both ends meet, God has been so good to have allowed me to pay up more than half of mine. He even allowed and provided for my travel. I was able to purchase stuff I didn't even imagine I could two years ago. I am simply amazed by His goodness. He kept me under His wings.

Truly, I am greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved by our Almighty God. In the past, this was just a fact that I know is true; but now, it is a fact that I've experienced and could attest is true.

During Christmas dinner with my sister at her house

2009 was also a year of transformation for me. A summary of what I've gone through in the past years ---

2007 was the year I was broken to tiny pieces. I have redefined pain in ways beyond description.

2008 was the year I was molded by God. I was like being marinated. I struggled. It was agonizing, but I also learned to submit to His will. This was the time I learned to let go and let God in its true sense. By doing so, I got to know Jesus in a whole new way.

Finally, 2009 was the year God transformed me into somebody even I, myself, could hardly recognize. I saw changes in me though I am still a work in progress. God is not done with me yet. But thank God I am no longer where I used to be. I don't even want to ever go back to how I used to be.

This coming 2010, I am full of hope that it will be much better than 2009. I'm believing God for more breakthroughs, favors and blessings. I'm believing God for answered prayers. I'm bolder in asking God what I want because I know He is able. I'm also believing that this coming year is a year of completion and perfection. And I claim this promise ---

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Let's all continue to have an attitude of gratitude. Our God is bigger than any mountain we face.

HAVE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS
NEW YEAR!!!

WFW - Acts 16:25-26

Today is my birthday!

I am...

My birthday wish is...

~~♥♥♥ May the Lord grant me my heart's desire. ♥♥♥~~


Here's God's message to me today...

God wanted us to praise and worship Him no matter what. He is saying that nothing is impossible with Him.
Whether He will bring to pass or not His promises is not the question because we know that He is not a man that He would lie. He who made the promise is faithful.
The question is, are you willing to obey Him in spite of?

Like in the case of Paul and Silas, He can break the chains in our lives too.

He can bring healing and deliverance.

He can restore.

He can and He will.

Would you do your part?

Hop on to Lori's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

My Birthday Wish

Tomorrow is a special day for me. It's my 36th birthday.

Last Thursday on TT, Lynn reminded us to count our blessings.

I am. And it far outweighs the not-so-good things that happened in my life.

The Lord never left me when I was in so much distress. His promises helped me regain strength to face the world again. I know in my heart that He favors me. I know that I'm on the road He wanted me to take. And at the end of this road, I will receive everything that He had promised. I know I will see His glory in the land of the living.

Tomorrow, as I celebrate my birthday, I only have one wish.

And I will make that wish after I blow my candles.

True Friends Are Gifts From God

I was on my way to work this morning when I got a call from my very good friend, Corry, who has been like a second mom to me. She asked me if I was okay. I was kinda lost for a while and then she said she read or heard a news that the Philippines was hit by a strong earthquake. I was surprised because I didn't hear that from the news and I didn't find that in the newspapers either. Hmm... I'm quite sure I didn't feel anything. In other words, I didn't know there was an earthquake here had I not received a call from Corry and checked it on the internet. Thank God there were no casualties. Later on, I've read that it measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. It rocked the northern part of the Philippines and the southern part of Taiwan. Lord, thank you for sparing us.

Another dear blogger friend of mine, Enid, emailed me weeks ago also asking if I was okay because she heard that China was struck by a strong earthquake too and she thought I was from there. Thank God I wasn't.

I feel truly blessed to have friends (even those I haven't personally met yet) who cared sincerely. God bless their good hearts. Thank you for your concern and prayers.

(((HUGS)))